Machine for producing compressed feeds



Oct. 24, 1939. D. CRABTREE 2,177,132

MACHINE FOR PRODUCING COMPRESSED FEEDS Filed Dec. l7,' 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR fll/ANE CRABTREE ATTO NEY 1939. D. CRABTREE 2,177,132

MACHINE FOR PRODUCING COMPRESSED FEEDS Filed Dec. 17, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .DU/l/VE Omar/m? ATTORNEY Cd; 24, 1939. D. CRABTREE MACHINE FOR PRODUCING COMPRESSED FEEDS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 17, 1938 T Y mm E "mm 4m W E W N N m Patented Oct. 24, 1939 MACHINE FOR PRODUCING COMPRESSED FEEDS Duane Crabtree, Springfield, reg., assignor to Western Pellet Machine Corporation, Eugene, Green, a corporation of Oregon Application December 17, 1938, Serial No. 246,434

18 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for compressing plastic or non-plastic materials into different types of feeds. The invention particularly relates to improvements in machines for Figure'Z is a front elevation of the machine as shownin Figure 1 with a portion broken away to show the means employed for shifting the compressing wheel assembly toward or away from compressing feeds through more than one die by the die assembly and illustrating the position of 5 the use of revoluble members having their pethe compressing wheel ass y n ot i ripheral surfaces in operative contact with each Operative contact with the die assembly; other. Figure 3 is a sectional, plan view, taken on line Briefly stated, the machine consists of a com- 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction indipressor wheel assembly and a die assembly, the Gated, showing the detailed structural character- 10 external peripheral surfaces of which contact istics of the compressor wheel and die assemeach other, not only to impart rotation to the blies; compressor wheel, but also to force material Figure 4 is a fragmentary, plan view of the through passages in the dies. Provision is made machine shown in Figure 1 graphically illus- 5 for regulating the position of the compressor trating the operative contact assumed by the wheel with respect to the die assembly. Means compressor wheel assembly and the die assembly; are also provided for insuring against rearward Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View, or forward movement of the compressor wheel diagrammatical in character, of the outer die and die assembly. faces and the compressor wheel faces to permit One of the objects of the invention is to proa more detailed examination of their relation- 20 vide a machine having a compressor wheel, the ship; rim of which may be removable, when desired. Figure 6 is a side elevation of the machine Another object of the invention is to provide embodying the invention, with the frame para machine with a compressor wheel which is tially broken away, to disclose the means emadapted for adjustment relative to the die asployed in transmitting rotation to the die as- 25 sembly. I sembly';

Another object of the invention is to provide Figure '7 is a perspective view of one of the a die assembly consisting of two dies positioned dies employed in the machine embodying the in complementary relation toeach other. invention; and

Still another object of the invention is to pro- Figure 8 is a perspective View of the com- 30 vide a compressor wheel and die assembly which pressor wheel assembly employed in the machine possess structural characteristics for their effecembodying the invention, partially in crosssective operative alignment at'all times. tion to show the detailed structural character- A still further object ofthe invention is to istics thereof.

provide a machine adapted for producing feeds The machine embodied in the drawings con- 35 of uniform density and consistency through more sists of a supporting frame designated in its than one die and which is capable of operating entirety by reference character A. The frame at different speeds for the manufacture of differmay be secured to a platform or directly to a en t types of feeds without in any way increasing floor in any manner expedient to the user. The

in the amount of power consumed. rear wall I of frame A is removable, making it 40 The invention is directed to other objects, possible to examine the interior 2 and, if desired, possesses other features of novelty and advanto remove and replace any part confined theretage, andconsists in a new and useful formation in. The rear wall I is securely fastened to the and construction of elements, all of which will frame A by suitable nut and bolt assemblies 3 become readily apparent from the following dewhich connect the two gasketed flanges 4 and 5. 45 tailed description having reference to the ac- This arrangement insures against leakage of any companying drawings which illustrate but one of the lubricant which is normally confined withembodiment by which the invention may be in the interior 2 for lubricating the bearing and realized. other working elements.

In the drawings in which like or corresponding It will be seen from an examination of Figure 50 elements are given identical reference characters, 2 and particularly of Figure 3 of the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine inthat a sleeve 5 is horizontally positioned within corporating the principles of the invention showthe frame A. Sleeve 6 has cam members 1 and ing the compressing wheel assembly and die as- 8 made integral with and disposed at the opposite sembly in operative contact; ends thereof. The cams have a common axis 55 and are positioned relative to the sleeve so that their respective peripheries are in coinciding alignment. Cam 1 is positioned in a suitable bearing provided with rear wall I and cam 8 is seated within a suitable-bearing provided within the front wall 9 of frame A. The sleeve is capable of rotation within the bearing surfaces thus provided in the frame A. To permit the rotation of the sleeve, when desired, a gear wheel section If! is secured against the supporting stud I! extending from the sleeve. The teeth of the gear wheel section ID are at all times in mesh with the worm l2 which is itself substantially confined within the casing l3 formed integrally within frame A. A shaft l4 extends upwardly from the casing l3 and is either made integral with or directly secured to worm 12. This construction contemplates the rotation of the sleeve within its bearings with ease; and, if the sleeve 6 is not frictionally restrained from rotation within the bearing surfaces provided in frame A, it is obvious that the sleeve may easily be rotated by simply rotating the shaft 14., However, since the rotation of the sleeve is mainly desired to provide certain important adjustments and conveniences of assembly and disassembly, provision is made Within the frame A to maintain the sleeve against rotation. This is accomplished by splitting the frame A at the bearing provided for cam member 8, as shown at l5, and providing thereat ears [6 and I! through which a nut and bolt assembly l8 passes. This construction provides a simple but effective manner for anchoring'cam member 8 against rotation within its bearing. The functional importance of the sleeve and the desirability of rotating it on its cams will'be explained shortly. However, it is well to point out .at this time that when the sleeve is in position as shown in Figure 3, the

T compressor wheel assembly and die assembly are in operative contact with each other and are positioned as shown in Figures 1, 32nd 4. But when the sleeve is positioned as partially shown in Figure 2, the compressor wheel assembly and die assembly are not only cut of operative-contact with each other, but also are in position for removal from the machine. (The dotted lines shown in this figure graphically indicate the normal operating position of the compressor wheel assembly to the die assembly and the normal position of the sleeve.)

' A shaft l9 passes through the sleeve 6 and is positioned for unimpaired rotational movement with respect to its interior 20. A bearing 2| of the ball-bearing type is provided for the rear portion of the shaft l9 and a bearing 22 of the roller bearingtype is provided for shaft l9 adjacent its front portion 23, which extends through front wall 8 of frame A. These bearings 2| and 22 are confined within cages 24 and 25 formed in cam members I and 8 respectively. A suitable lubricant-retaining plate 26 is secured in any desirable manner to the rear wall I and a similar plate 21 is secured to the front wall 9 of frame A surrounding the exposed portion of shaft 19 and effecti'vely retaining suitable packingmaterial therein. These plates not only prevent the loss of any lubricant, but also serve, to a limited extent, to restrain the external movement of the sleeve 6. It Will shortly be observed that rotation is imparted to shaftl 9 through the contact of the compressor wheelassembly with the die assembly. However, shaft is may readily receive its rotational movement directly from a source of power without in a any material particular affecting the function and operation of the elements heretofore described.

Another shaft 28, having its front portion 29 extending through wall 9 of frame A, is rotatably positioned within the interior 2 of frame A in parallel, horizontal relationship to shaft It. A bearing 38 of the ball bearing type is provided for the rear portion of the shaft 28 and a. bearing 3| of the roller bearing is provided for shaft 28 adjacent its front portion. These bearings are confined Within seats provided in the rear wall I and front wall 9 respectively of frame A. A suitable plate 32 is secured to the rear wall I by any well-known means and a. similar but packingcarrying plate 23 surrounds shaft 28 and is secured in similar fashion to the front wall 8 of frame A. The employment of these plates insures against leakage of the lubricant confined within the interior 2. A pair of gear wheels 34 and 35, possessing different diameters, aresecured to shaft 28'and are Wholly confined within the interior 2 of frame A.

Still another shaft 36 is journaled within frame A directly above and in parallel alignment with shaft 28. wall of frame A and is connected directly or indirectly to a source of power (not shown) which gives it the rotation desired. A gear-wheel sup porting sleeve 31 is disposed about shaft 36 and is slidably confined within one or more grooves 38 formed in said shaft. Gear wheels 39 and 48 are secured to the sleeve 3'! and are identical in all respects except in diameters. The sleeve 3'! is movable on the shaft 36 so that the teeth of large gear wheel 39 may mesh with the teeth of small gear wheel 34 positioned on shaft 28 when desired; and, if desired, the sleeve may be shifted so that the teeth of the small gear wheel 48 may mesh with the teeth of the large gear wheel positioned on shaft 28. However, the gear wheels 39 Shaft 36 extends through the rear" and 4llare so arranged on the sleeve 31 that only a one of them at'a time can engage with its respectivegear wheel found on: shaft 28. A gear shift lever 4| is swivelly joined to and passes through the frame A, as shown at 42,"and the depending arms 43 (only one of which is shown) are secured to the sleeve 31, as shown at 44. This arrangement controls the gear ratios by which the speed of rotationof the driving shaft 35 is transmitted to the driven shaft 28. The employment of this mode of transmitting power to shaft 28 is believed advantageous because different types of compressed feeds require different, operating conditions in order to obtain the greatest efficiency from the machine. It is obvious, of course, that, if desired, shaft 28 may be connected directly to a source of power and entirely eliminate the need of shaft 36 and its related elements.

Attention is now directed to the construction of the compressor wheel assembly designated in its entirety by reference character B. The details of construction can best be observed from an examination of Figures 3 and 8. Compressor wheel B consists of a hub 45 which is keyed or otherwise secured to portion 23 of shaft 19. 'An annular shoulder 46 extends from one side of the hub 45. The top 4| of shoulder v46 is inclined downwardly toward the other side of the hub and a like inclination, parallel to the inclination of top 41, is

formed on the remainder of the hub 45, as shown at 48. V V I 7 A band or cylindrical rim 49 made of case hardened steel or an alloy treated to resist wear, is

' der 46.

tion, consists of a pair of internal, tapered surfaces 5!! and 5| of identical pitch and a pair of external converging surfaces 52 and 53 of equal pitch forming a beveled periphery,'the apex of which is occupied by a fiat-topped, annular ledge 54. When the rim is in position upon hub 45, inclined surface 56 intimately contacts the top 4'! of shoulder 46 and inclined surface 55 is in direct alignment with the remaining inclined surface of the hub. In this manner a slightly wedge-shaped inner recess 55 is formed. An annular ring 56, the sides of which are tapered toward each other to form a partial wedge, snugly fits into the recess 55. Ring 56 is secured to the hub 45 by any desirable means, as by bolts 51. When the ring is thus securely held against the hub 45, the rim 49 is frictionally held against movement on shoul- A retaining plate 58 is securely held against the end of the shaft 19 by any desirable means, as by bolt 59.

I .The'die assembly, designated general y by ref erence character C, may be best examined by referring to Figures 3 and 7. A hub 50 is keyed or otherwise secured to the end portion 29 of the shaft 28. An annular shoulder 51 extends upwardly from one side of the hub 6Q. There are two die rings possessing identical structural characteristics. Consequently, a detailed description of one should sufiice for the other. However, in order to distinguish one from the other, the reference numerals for one will be primed. Ring dies 62 and 62' are disposed on hub 66 and the inner face of die 62 rests against shoulder 61. These dies may be keyed or otherwise removably secured to the hub. One of the dies is shown in perspective in Figure '7 and for clarity :it shall be considered as die 62. Dies 62 and 62' each have an inclined annular flange 63 and 63. respectively of equal pitch and contain a series of radially disposed passages 64 and 64' respectively extending through the flanges 63 and 63. These passages may be circular, rectangular, or any other desired cross-sectional shape. An annular cut-out 65 and 65' is formed in sides 66 and 55' of dies and 62' respectively. When dies 62 and 62' are secured to hub 69, the sides 66 and 55' are positioned in complementary intimate contact w th each other so that the cut-out portions 65 and 65' coincide and cooperate to form an annular groove 61 between dies 62 and 62'. When the dies 62 and 62 are positioned the hub 59 as stated, the annular flanges 63 and 63" incline in opposite directions and form a V-shaped area therebetweenywhenv viewed in cross section. These structural characteristics may be fully observed in Figure 5. The dies bland 52' are maintained in intimate working relation with each other and are secured to the hub Sllby the ring 68. A plurality of threaded bolts 69 pass through the ring and dies or are threaded into shoulder 55 of hub 60. The die assembly C is retained in fixed working relation with the shaft 28 by retaining plate '10 held against the end of the shaft by any des'irable means, by threaded bolt 1 I.

A bracket 12 is secured in any desirable manner to the front wall 9 of frame A. 'Blade-supporting arms 13 and 14 are removably secured to the bracket by any suitable means and have fingers I5 and 16 respectively inclined and extended inwardly toward each other. These fingers are positioned with respect to the arms so that they are positioned in spaced but parallel relation to inclined inner faces 11 and 11' of dies 62 and 62 respectively. Blades 18 and 19 are removably secured to fingers I5 and 16 respectively and are adapted to angularly contact the inclined inner faces of 11 and 1,1 as best shown in Figures 1 and 2., These fixed knives are adapted, not only to sever the compressed material as it is extruded through the passages of the die, but also to direct the cut feeds away from the dies.

The material to be processed into feeds is fed into the space provided between the compressor wheel B and die assembly C when the two are positioned as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the space being fully disclosed in Figure 4. In order to direct the material to be processed toward the space referred to, any desirable structure may be employed and, for example, there is shown in the drawings a chute 86 having the contours desirable for fulfilling the function of feeding small proportions of materials into the space formed between the compressor wheel and die assembly.

When the compressor wheel assembly B and die assembly C are in the positions shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the peripheral ledge the width of which is slightly smaller than the width of the groove 6! formed between dies 62 and 62', rides within-the said groove. To insure an unimpaired trackway for the ledge in said groove, a bar 8| has its wedge-shaped end 82 positioned within the groove 61, and its other end 83 is forked so that it may ride on the ledge 5%. As the compressor wheel and die assembly rotate, the bar removes the material which may cling to the ledge and remain in the groove when feeds are being manufactured.

This completes the detailed description of the invention. The operation of the machine is as follows:

When the machine is in the position shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the ledge 54 rides within the groove 61; and the faces 52 and 53 of rim d9 contact faces 63 and 63 of dies 62 and 62 respectively, so that when shaft 28 is rotated, rotation is imparted to shaft l9 through the frictional engagement of the compressor wheel B with the die assembly C, as stated. The compressor wheel B and die assembly C, are rotated in converging or opposite directions as shown by the arrows in ployed for delivery of the material to be processed upon the die faces. The material to be processed is delivered through the medium of the chute 89 into said space and said material is immediately trapped between the peripheral surfaces of the dies and the compressor wheel, by

the ample tractive force resulting from the rotation of the two bodies in converging relationship. As the compressor wheel B and the die assembly C rotate, a squeegee, wedge-like action is applied to the mass delivered into the space and the material is forced under a uniform degree of pressure through the passages in the dies. The cooperating relationship of the compressor wheel B and the die assembly C results in an equal distribution of pressure during the compressing operation so that no rearward or forward thrust is created during the operation of the machine. The frictional engagement and wedging action between the external; peripheral faces of the compressor wheel B and the die assembly C may be graphically examined in Figure 5.

The groove 61 is of sufficient depth to permit the annular ledge or rib 54 to extend freely therein when the cams l and 8 are moved by the actuation of the shaft M to adjust the compressor wheel assembly B relativetothe die assembly C. Further, the depth of each of the teeth'on' the gear H3 is such thatthe same will mesh withthe pinion on the shaft I4 when the clamping members I6 and "are loosened by the bolt l8 to permit the cams 1 and 8 to be rotated to control or adjust the operative contact of the confronting surfaces of the compressor member B and the die member 0. c

It will be seen that the through openings or passages 64 in the inclined flanges 63 and 63' extend substantially at right angles to the inner sides of these flanges, and are disposed to conduct the moldable material in the form of pellets, from the space or chamber above the contacting'surfaces of the revoluble members B and C, to opposite sides of the member B. Thus, the bottom of the groove 61 is closed so that the pellets may be extruded laterally from one or both sides 'of the compressor member B during the operation of the machine.

Compensation for wear of the peripheral surfaces on the dies and the ring 49 may be made by moving the whole sleeve assembly 6 mm the desired relationship is obtained between the'com pressor Wheel B and the die assembly 0. The most efficient pressure essential for production of different types of feeds can be obtained between the dies and the compressor wheels by the same manipulation of thesleeve assembly 6, and the compressor wheel B may be completely removed from operative relationship and into the position shown in Figure 2 in order to remove either the compressor wheel B or the die assembly C or both from the machine for replacement or other purposes.

From the foregoing description it will appear that the invention as described satisfies the objects set forth herein. The invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment disclosing a definite arrangement of parts. However, it should be understood that many variants thereof are possible to those skilled in the art. The invention, therefore, in its broader aspect, is not limited to the specific construction herein shown and described, as changes and alterations may be made in the proportions, configurations, and arrangements of the various parts without departing from the broad spirit of this invention.

'Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and upon which I desire to secure Letters Patent is: I

i. In a machine of the class described, a pair of spaced revoluble members having outer pee ripherally disposed, inclined and interfitting contacting surfaces, the space'adjacent the contacting surfaces constituting a material receiving chamber, means for feeding moldable mate'- rlal into said chamber, one of said members having a plurality of openings in the inclined sides thereof, said openings during operation of the machine communicating with said chamber, and means for rotating said'members in opposite directions so that the material delivered to said chamber is compressed and extruded through said openings to the side of the machine.

2. In a machine of the class described, a pair of spaced horizontally aligned revoluble members having outer peripherally disposed, inclined and interfitting contacting surfaces, the space above the contacting surfaces constituting a material receiving chamber, means for feeding moldable material into said chamber, one of saidv members having a plurality of openings in the inclined sides thereof, said openings during operation of and means for rotating said members in opposite directions so that the material delivered to said chamber is compressed and extruded through said-openings to the sides of the machine.

3. In a molding machine of the class described, a pair of spaced revoluble members having outer peripherally disposed, inclined and interfitting contacting surfaces, the space adjacent the contacting surfaces constituting a material receiving chamber, means for feeding moldable material into said chamber, one of said members having a plurality of openings in the inclined sides thereof, said openings during operation of the machine communicating with said chamber, means for rotating said members in opposite directions so that the material delivered to said chamber is compressed and extruded through said openings in the form of pellets to the sides of the machine, and means for severing the pelletsas they issue from said openings.

4. In a molding machine of the class described, a pair of spaced revoluble members having outer peripheral interfitting and inclined contactin surfaces, the space adjacent the contacting surfaces constituting a material receiving chamber, means for feeding moldable material into said chamber, one of said members having a plurality of openings in the inclined sides thereof,said openings arranged during the operation of the machine to communicate with said chamber, means for rotating said members in opposite di rections so that the material delivered 'to' said chamber is compressed 'andfex'truded' through said openings in the form of pellets to the sides of the machine, and means for adjusting one of the members relative to the other to control the operative contact of said members.

5. In a molding machine of the class described,

a pair of spa'ced'horizontally aligned revoluble members having outer peripherally disposed, in-' clined and interfitting contacting surfaces, the

7 space adjacent the contacting surfaces constituting a material receiving chamber, means for feedroi operation of the machine communicating with; a

said chamber, means for rotating said members i in opposite directions so that the material de-' livered to said chamber is compressed and extruded through said openings in the form of pellets to the sides of the machine, means for severrelative to the other to control the operative contact of, said members.

6. In a pellet'forming machine'of'the class described, a revoluble compression member, a coacting revoluble die member, said die member having spaced peripheral flanges provided with converging opposed inner surfaces terminating in an annular groove, each of said flanges having openings extending therethrough, said compression member having complementarytapered peripheral surfaces engaging the converging surfaces of said die member, the space above the contacting surfaces of said members constituting a chamber for receiving moldable material, means for feeding the material to said chamber, and means for rotating said members in opposite directions so that the material delivered to said chamber is compressed r and. extruded coacting revoluble die member, said die member having spaced peripheral flanges, at least one of said flanges having openings extending therethrough, said die member arrangedto'engage peripherally the compression member between said flanges, the space above the contacting surfaces of said members constituting a chamber for receiving moldable material, means for feeding the material into said chamber, and means for rotating said members in opposite directions so that the material delivered to said chamber is compressed and extruded through said openings in the form of pellets.

8. In a pellet forming machine of the class described, a revoluble compression member, a

20. coacting revoluble die member, said die member having spaced peripheral flanges, said flanges having openings extending therethrough, said die member arranged to engage peripherally the compression member between said flanges, the

space above the contacting surfaces of said members constituting a chamber for receiving moldable material, means for feeding the material into said chamber, and means for rotating said members in opposite'directions so that the material delivered to said chamber is compressed and extruded through said openings in the form of pellets.

9. In a pellet forming machine of the class described, a revoluble compression member, a

SE coacting revoluble die member, said die member having spaced peripheral flanges provided with converging opposed inner surfaces terminating in an annular groove, each of said flanges having openings extending therethrough, said com- 40 pression member having complementary tapered peripheral surfaces engaging the converging surfaces of said diemember, said tapered surfaces terminating in a medially disposed projection extending into said annular groove, the space above 5 the contacting surfaces of said member constituting a chamber for receiving moldable material, means for rotating said members in opposite directions so that the material delivered to said chamber is compressed and extruded through said openings in the form of pellets from opposite sides of the machine, cammed means for ad,- justing the compression member relative to the die member to control the operative contact of said surfaces, and means for actuating said carnmed means.

16. In a pellet forming machine of the class i described, a revoiuble compression member, a coacting revoluble die member, said die member having spaced peripheral flanges provided with converging opposed inner surfaces terminating in an annular groove, each of said flanges having openings extending therethrough substantially at right angles to the converging inner surfaces, said compression member having comprementary tapered peripheral surfaces engaging the converging surfaces of said die member, saidtapered surfaces terminating in a medially disposed projection extending into said annular groove, the space above the contacting surfaces of said member constituting a chamber for receiving moldable material, means for rotating said members in opposite directions so that the material delivered to said chamber is compressed and extruded through said openings in the form of pellets from opposite sides of the machine,

ripheral surfaces engaging the converging surfaces of said die member, said tapered surfaces terminating in a medially disposed projection extending into said annular groove, the space above the contacting surfaces of said member constituting a chamber for receiving moldable material, means for rotating said members in opposite directions so that the material delivered to said chamber is compressed and extruded through said openings in the form of pellets from opposite sides of the machine, means for adjusting the compression member relative to the die member to control the operative contact of said surfaces, and means for preventing material adhering to the surfaces of said groove and projection during the operation of the machine.

12. In a pellet forming machine of the class described, a revoluble compression member, a coacting revoluble die member, said die member having spaced peripheral flanges forming a continuous groove therebetween, each of said flanges having transverse openings extending therethrough, said compression member having its peripheral surface extending into and contacting with said groove to form a moldable material receiving chamber above the points of contact of saidmembers, means for feeding the moldable material to said chamber, and means for rotating said members in opposite directions so that the material delivered to said chamber is com- 7 pressed and extruded through said openings in the form of pellets from opposite sides of the machine.

13. In a pellet forming machine of the class described, a revoluble compression member, a coacting revoluble die member, said die member having spaced annular flanges provided with converging inner sides terminating in an annular groove, each of said flanges having openings extending therethrough, said compression member having a rim provided with complementary formed converging sides engaging the converging sides of said die member, said rim having an annular projection extending into said groove, the space above the contacting surfaces of said members constituting a chamber for receiving moldable material, means for feeding the moldable material into said'chamber, means for rotating said members in opposite directions so that the material delivered to said chamber is compressed and extruded through said openings in the form of pellets from the opposite sides of the machine, and means for preventing the material adhering to the surfaces of said grooves and said rib.

14. In a molding machine of the class described, a revoluble compression member, a coacting revoluble die member, said die member including a hub, a pair of discs secured to the hub, said discs having spaced annular flanges provided with converging surfaces terminating in an annular groove, each of said flanges having openings extending transversely therethrough, said compression member having complementary inclined surfaces engaging the converging surfaces of said die member, said rim being provided with a medially disposed projection extending into said groove, means for removably connecting the rim to the compression member, the space above the contacting surfaces of said members constituting a chamber for receiving moldable. material, means for feeding the material to said chamber, means for rotating said members so that the material delivered to saidchamber is extruded through said openings in the form of pellets from opposite sides of the machine, and cammed means operatively connected to the compression member for adjusting the same relative to the die member. I

15. In a molding machine of the class described, a revoluble compression member, a coacting revoluble die member, said die member including a hub, a pair of discs secured to the hub, said discs having spaced annular flanges provided with converging surfaces terminating in an annular groove, each of said flanges having openings extending transversely therethrough,

said compression member having complementary inclined surfaces engaging the converging surfaces of said die member, said rim being also provided with a medially disposed projection extending into said groove, removable means for connecting the rim to the compression member, the space above the contacting surfaces of said members constituting a chamber for receiving moldable material, means for feeding the material into said chamber, means for rotating said members so that the material delivered to said chamber is extruded through said openings in the form of pellets from opposite sides of the machine, means operatively connected to the compression member for adjusting the same relative to the die member, and means for severing the pellets as they issue from said openings.

16. In a molding machine of the class described, a revoluble compression member, a coacting revoluble die member, said die member incuding a hub, a. pair of discs secured to the hub, said discs having spaced annular flanges provided with converging surfaces terminating in an annular groove, each of said flanges having openings extending transversely therethrough, said compression member having complementary surfaces engaging the converging surfaces of said die member, said rim being also provided with a medially disposed projection extending into said groove, means for detachably connecting the rim to the compression member, the space above the contacting surfaces of said members constituting a chamber for receiving moldable material, means for feeding the material to said chamber, means for rotating said members so that the material delivered to said chamber is extruded through said openings in the form of pellets from opposite sides of the machine, means operatively connecting with the compression member for adjusting the same relative to the die member, means for severing the pellets as they issue from said openings, and means for preventing material adhering to the surfaces of said groove and rib 7 during the operation of the machine.

17. A revoluble compression member to be used with a molding machine of the class described, comprising, a hub having an annular, downwardly inclined shoulder, a cylindrical'rim removably disposed on said hub, said rim having complementary inclined converging outer peripheral surfaces, a medially disposed projecting annular ledge extending upwardly at the convergence of said inclined surfaces, and removable means for connecting the cylindrical rim to the hub.

18. A revoluble die member to be used with a molding machine of the class described, comprising, a hub, and a pair of discs having spaced annnular flanges provided with convergingsurfaces terminating in an annular groove, each of said flanges having openings extending transversely therethrough. a

, DUANE CRABTREE 

